Spurs' Tiago Splitter (shoulder sprain) out 3-5 weeks
The Spurs announced Sunday that center Tiago Splitter will miss three-to-five weeks after suffering a right shoulder sprain during a 116-92 victory over the Clippers in San Antonio on Saturday.
A three-week absence would keep Splitter out of 10 games. A five-week absence would sideline him for 15 games.
The injury occurred with a little less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Spurs leading 92-78. Splitter collided with Ryan Hollins as he prepared to attempt a lay-up in the paint, and he fell backwards to the court in pain after forcing up his shot in vain.
San Antonio took a timeout shortly thereafter and Splitter departed the game; he would not return, finishing with a season-high 22 points (on 8-for-12 shooting) and five rebounds in 25 minutes.
The Brazilian center is averaging 8.6 points and 6.2 rebounds in 21.2 minutes for San Antonio after re-signing on a four-year, $32 million contract last summer. He possesses a net rating of plus-7.4, and the Spurs' defensive rating when he's on the court is a team-best 93.3.
Coach Gregg Popovich has started Splitter alongside Tim Duncan in a "Twin Towers" setup this season. In Splitter's absence, Popovich can turn to Boris Diaw, Jeff Ayres and Matt Bonner.
San Antonio sits atop the Southwest Division with a 26-8 record.
Clippers guard Chris Paul also recently suffered a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out for three-to-five weeks.
